Prep hockey: Experience, depth and new league to fuel Northmen in 2012-13

For second-year Petoskey High School hockey coach Brent Ward, stability along with experience and skill is something he can hang his hat on as 13 players return to the ice for the Northmen for the 2012-13 season.

The Northmen open the season at home at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, against the Mid-Michigan Storm in a Northern Michigan Hockey League — a five-team league Petoskey joined this season — contest.

Petoskey finished 12-12-1 last season and graduated five seniors, but welcomes back nine seniors, two juniors and a pair of sophomores, all of whom saw significant playing time a season ago.

“We have a good group of returners and a large senior class,” Ward said. “That large senior class definitely helps out as far as the experience factor. We also have a lot of newcomers as well as we’re looking to build off learning from these seniors who’ll be leaving as we’ll get ready for the following year.”

For now, Ward said, it’s all about a solid work ethic.

“A lot of these seniors have been here now for three or four years so they know what’s expected, what the game is like and the speed of the game,” Ward said. “I’ve been here a year now and I look for their leadership both on and off the ice. When I started last year I was their third coach in the last three years and now they have a little more stability.

“There’s a familiarity with the system and what you’re looking for as a coach,” Ward said. “It’s about work ethic. We have to put in the time and effort to become a team and we can’t sit there and watch others do the work.

“We all have to work hard to have a successful season.”

Senior goaltender Breanna Merriam returns and will look to earn the No. 1 goaltender position, while a quartet of senior defensemen also return in Ken Forton, Kevin Hansen, Nick Trombley and Nik Kolodziej.

Forton led all Northmen defensemen with 17 goals last season.

Senior forwards returning include Syke Pieffer — who was second on the team in points (15 goals, 27 assists) behind the now graduated Kyle Ruggles — Tanner Davis, Aaron Cook and Derek Smith.

Incoming seniors include forwards Brandon Pomranke and Cam Ludlow.

“Our seniors are great, they’re skilled and they’re done a good job of explaining to the newcomers our drills and leading the way,” Ward said. “We still have to go over system stuff and make sure we’re on the same page, but where we were last year and where we are this year, I think everybody is a little more further along.”

“With 23 players, every practice we’ll look to see who’s working hard and who’s trying to get out there and make the lineup,” Ward said. “There’s going to be competition for positions from our goalie on out to the forwards. If you’re not working hard in practice, there’s a good chance you won’t make it to the game.”

The Northmen will look to get off to a solid start Friday playing against Mid-Michigan in their first game in the Northern Michigan Hockey League, a league which also consists of Cheboygan, Traverse City St. Francis (T.C. Reps) and Manistee.

“A nice start would help obviously and everybody looks to have a good, full season,” Ward said. “We’re looking to use our season to get us ready for the playoffs. We’re in two conferences now which means every game means a little bit more.

“We have to go out and compete in every game.”

Despite losing their leading goal scorer in Ruggles, who had 50 points (32 goals, 18 assists), Ward believes his team will be able to find the back of the net.

“When we’re going on all eight cylinders, I think we’ll be able to put the puck in the net,” Ward said. “We’re pretty solid all around and I don’t see a major weakness we have. We have some nice returning defensemen, we have two really solid forward lines that can compete and all three of our goaltenders can compete.

“With the returners knowing the speed of the game and the physical aspect of the game, I think that will carry us the most,” Ward said. “Most teams can’t say they have 13 players coming back.”

Ward also added his team was committed during the offseason.

“We had some great summer skates and great participation both on and off the ice,” Ward said. “We’re just looking for guys to pick it up and now is the seniors time. This is their year and with their leadership and skill, it’s their time to shine.”

Following Friday’s game, the Northmen will be off until Wednesday, Nov. 28 when they’ll face Cheboygan in a NMHL contest before traveling to Traverse City Central for their Big North Conference opener on Friday, Nov. 30.